Light fixture



W. P. HEATH LIGHT FIXTURE.

Filed Nov.. l2, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 MZfr/a PnZD ATTORNEY Sept.14,1943.

Sept. 14, 1943. w HEATH I 2,329,268

LIGHT FIXTURE- Fiied Nov. 12, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR a ATTORNEYSept. 14, 1943. w. P. I -IEATH 2,329,268

LJQGHT FIXTURE Filed Nov. 12, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR 0 way/2 2Hedi/2 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 14, 1943 UNITED v STATE s PATENT OFFICELIGHT FIXTURE Wilfrid Paul Heath, Richmond Beach, Wash. ApplicationNovember 12, 1941, Serial No. 418,653

' (c1; 24o--7s) 4 Claims.

' and an ever increasing demand has been created for a type of fixtureparticularly adapted for use with fluorescent tubes as the source oflight.

It is an object of my invention to provide a. type of fixtureparticularly adapted for use in connection with fluorescent tubelighting wherein It is another object of this invention to provide afixture having readily removable and inserta-ble plates so that glassplates may be used desirable ornamentation for aesthetic purposesobtains and at the same time greatesbaccessibility for removal orinsertion of the parts of the fixture obtains.

Due to the efiiciency of fluorescent tube lighting, a concentratedsource of light obtains which tends to attract flying inserts. Also ifthe transparent or translucent plates (a common example of which isglass and which term is used hereinafter as an example and not as alimitation) employed in the fixture become soiled in any way, theconcentrated source of light tends to make manifest the soiled glass.The efiiciency of any glass light fixture depends upon the freedom fromdirt, dust or the like. It is, therefore, recognized that it isnecessary to periodically wash the glass of the fixture. It is an objectof my invention to provide a fixture so that the glass or other platemembers employed may be readily inserted or removed so that they may bewashed conveniently as separate pieces and under convenientcircumstances rather than requiring'the washer to attempt to wash theglass or plates while in position in the fixture.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fixture where the glassplates to be washed may be removed from the bottom side of the fixturewithout removing any attaching device, such as screws, plates or thelike. It is of particular importance to providefor such removal from thebottom side so that the fixture is readily useable either as a hangingfixture or a fiush fixture positioned adjacent a wall.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device employingglass plates supported only at their end portions and thus eliminatingshadows and the like which would result if dense light blocking supportswere used intermediate the length' of the glass plates.

as the side plates or the bottom plate and also so that reflector, metalor similarly dense plates, may be used as the sides or the bottom, or acombination thereof may be used. My fixture, upon proper selection ofplates, will thus readily provide diffused light through a translucentmedium, or indirect lighting, or a combination of both. Also it is anobject of the invention to provide a type of fixture which may bereadily converted to an open light type of fixture without side platesor a bottom plate, all with a minimum changing of parts so that standardparts may be employed I which are common to a various number of fixturesand mass production may be obtained.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a-channel like membercarrying the various electrical apparatus necessary for operation of afluorescent tube and adapted to carry interchangeable end plates, sothat end plates, to sup- I port side plates and a bottom plate, may beused or other end plates, for mere decoration purposes when open lightsare used, may be employed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pedestal supportconnecting with a channel like member open at its top portion and withthe cover for the channel member slidingly supported on the pedestalmeans, so that the pedestal may be maintained in place and thetop orcover merely moved upwardly to permit access to the electrical apparatuscontained within the channel means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide intermediatesupporting means for a bottom plate member which may he used when thelength and flexibility of the bottom plate requires and which will notin anywise interfere with the ready insertion and removal features ofthe side plates and bottom plate.

It is another object of the invention to provide means at the I outerside portions of each end member which function not only to support theside members, but to support the bottom member and preferably to supportthe bottom member in such a position that the bottom member aids insupporting the side members.

It is also an object of my invention to provide end members carrying thevarious electrical apparatus necessary for the operation of thefluorescent tubes (generally termed in the art as the auxiliaries) andwhich end members are connected together by relatively small hollowrods. This provides .for minimum interference with the numerals indicatelike parts:-

' her;

is. glass; and

light from the tubes and maximum emclency in indirect. lighting. Itis afurther object to provide in such combination, supporting means pref-'erabiy in the nature or short pedestals and -con-,

necting chainsr-"The advantage of employing 1 short pedestals andconnecting chains to the fl rture permits ready adjustmentof theheightof varying heights of rooms; I 1

The above mentioned general objects of m'y the fixture which is oftennecessary-because of io inventiomtogether with others inherent in the.same, are attained by the devices illustrated-inthe following drawings,the same being preferred exemplary'forms 'ofembodiment .o1' my inven- 1tion, throughoutwhich drawings like 'reierenc'e Figurel isv a vview inelevation of alfixturel embodying my'invention:

Fig.v 2 is a sectional view 1 and showing by dot and dash lines aposition 1 thebottomrplate will assume while being in;

serted and the hand of a party so inserting the bottom plate; I Y

.Fig. 3 is aperspective support employed with longer fixtures or whereview of an. intermediate 1 j the canopy. member"; .Thecanopy membercarries hollow tubular pedestal members 2| so portions of thetubularmember's. 2| 'are .,con nected with" plates (seeFig. 5 and also Fig.7

and preferablynut'means 26 securely fastenithe [tubes 2-l 'to plates 25;As there are two tubular members shown. in'Fig -l," there will be twoplates or straps 25, .one of which is shown in;

5 and in Fig. 7; The end portions of the str'apsarebent downwardly andinwardly to provide portions 21. These portions- 21 are secured to themetallic member'BIl'forning the channel member. '22 as by screws '28(Fig.- 5 on a.- larger scale taken substantially on broken line 2-2 ofFig. 20

In' order to accommodate four tubular lamps 29, the metal member formingthe channel member 22 'is shownin theform of a portion of-a'hexago'n.The tube lights 29 are supported by usual connectors or sockets -3lwhich pass through openings 32 in the metal member 30.

In order to mount. the usual startersj 33,-: two

,openings 34 are provided at each end, of the fixture inthemetal,rnember-v 30 (see Fig. 2 and In view of the fact: thatfluorescent tubes and the wiring thereof are now'standard on themarket-.1 have only somewhat diagrammatically illustrated the electricalieatures of this device.

The invention does not" relate-t0. the electrical 1 that Ihave supportedthe channel member 122 from pedestals 2| and have provided foraccommodation therein of the proper electrical equip-j Fig. 7is-aperspective view of a supporting strap which is connected to theFig. 8 -is'a sectional view similarv to Fig. .2 showing a modified formof this inventionwhere only one tube lamp or light, as distinguishedfrom a plurality of tube lights or lamps, visemp q p z Fig. 9 is a viewsimilar to Fig. --2, particularly showing an end plate'ior use in directoropen' type of lighting; g Fig.- 10 .is a view inelevation oi a'modified form of the invention wherein for purposes of clearness ofillustration-the side plates and bottom plates. have beenremoved;

. mg. 11 isafsectional view taken 'substanti1iyf 'Iin brokenline l"l.-|l Of FIg 1 a view similar to Fig-Q11, except that reflectorplates-have.been employed at-the top, g providing greater reflection of lightdownward 51y; i

Fig. 1a is aview-similar to Fig. l1,' e iceptthat the fixture issupportedfrom a: pedestal and'a longitudinal channel connecting betweenend members and further the sidsplates. and bottom plates employed aremetaLas distinguished from channel memthetop cover plate 24 in place, Ihave shown, in

fi'a'sleeve provided with a set screw -36. Thus upon loosening of theset screw.36,'the sleeve '35 maybe movedupwardly on the tube] 2| and inturn the plate 24-may be moved up- 22 and-- hook-up, so the tubes,starters the electrical equipment therein.

The end plates,generally referred toby 31 in Fig.4, have angle portions38 which are secured to the metal member, forming the channel member 22by.- any suitable means, as -screws"39 likeareonly-indicated generally.I From the previous description it is apparent mentorauiriliaries'incident to tube lighting. As thechannel 22 issupportedby tubes 2| and plates orstraps 25, the-cover 24 of the'cha-nnel 22 Imay be 'rmoved without interferring with the support of the channel 22,The holes 23 in the;

plate 24 (seeFig. 6) are oi a size: to slidably flt von-tubesil. Asone-form of means for holdiej;

wardly to permitxaccess to the channel and such end plates 31 carry anangle bar 40 which is also suitably secured-to the metalmember 30 aslbya screw 41. For appearance sake it is preierable-thatthe portions 38 and40 .be within the channel member 22. 1 I Each end-plate arms-a bar-likeside and "atom plate'supporting means-disposed on the outer sideportions thereof and is. numbered generally;

' 42 in Fig. '4'. 1 Each platesupporting means 42 has a downwardly andinwardly inclined portion 48 which supports a side plate-a side plate.(Fig. -i '2) against outward movement." The length of theside plates 44and the distance between end plates 31 is such that the side'plates 44will not 1move' longitudinally an appreciable extent so that relativelynarrow portions 43 may be employed and at the same time the side plates44 are sup-- able source of electricity=are positioned within (5 portedagainst outw rd mFWement- =The lfved sockets and the bot-" bottomportion 48 receives therein an end portion of the bottom edge or asideplate 44 and thus the side plate is supported against downwardmovement. As the side plates 44 are preferably angularly positioned, bygravity they will tend to lie against the portion 43 and thus be edgeportion thereof is above the curved bottom portion 45 and then th sideplate 44 is moved angularly and downwardly until the respective endbottom edges of the side plate.4 4 rest within the longitudinally spacedapart curved bottom portions 45. As the angle portions 88 (see Fig. 4)are spaced from the portions 48, an opening 46 is provided through whicha side plate 44 may be raised sufiiciently so that the lower edge comerportions of the side plates 44 may be inserted in am longitudinallyspaced curved bottom portions Inwardly projecting horizontal portions 41of the plate supporting means 42 serve to support a bottom plate, asplate 48. The bottom plate 48 iseither first removed in releasing theplates, or

last inserted in assemblylng the same in place. Assuming that the platesare being assembled and each of the side plates 44 has been positionedin place, then the bottom plate 48 may be positioned in place by raisingthe same while angularly positioned as shown by dot and dash lines inFig. 2.

Preferably the curved bottom portion 45 is at a lower level than thehorizontal portion 41 of the plate supporting means 42 so that a bottomplate 48 will be at a level above the lower edge of a side plate 44. Byproviding proper width to the bottom plate 48, the bottom plate 48 willcooperate with curved portion -45 to prevent angular movement and willthus function to hold the side plates .44 in place. This feature of myinvention will have its greatest utility in the event that the sideplates 44 are designed to extend in a vertical plane ratherthan in aninclined plane as shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the side and bottom platesof my fixtur are supported only at the comers and longitudinal movementof such side plates and bottom plate is prevented by the longitudinallyspaced end plates 81. Thus if glass plates are employed as side plates44 and bottom plates 48, the plates are only supported at their endportions. Should the longitudinal length of the side plates 44 andbottom plate 48 be such that there will be a tendency for the bottomplate 48 to sag, then I preferably employla support 48, shown inperspective in Fig. 3. This support 48 has a curved bottom portion 58, ahorizontal shelf 5| and an upper curved portion 52. A support 48ispositioned preferably midway the length of each side plate 44 as shownin Figure 1. The upper curved portion 52 fits over the top edge of aside plate 44 and the curved portion 58 fits around the bottom edge of aside plate 44. The shelf 5! serves to supp rt a bottom plate 48intermediate its length and thus prevent sag g of the bottom plate- 48.The support 48 may be bent around. and thus secured to a side pla e 44or i; sufiicient accuracy obtains Preferably in fluorescent tubelighting, to lessen in the cutting of the side plate 44 and'in providingthe bends on the support 48, then the support 48. may be slidingly movedlongitudinally of a side plate 44 until properly positioned as respectsthe longitudinal length of the side plate 44. The horizontal-shelves 5iare in the same plane as the horizontal portion 41 so that a bottomplate 48 may be moved in place as previously described.

without interference from the horizontal shelf ii, and the bottom plate48 supported from four portions 41 and two portions 5| By way ofillustration in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, I have shown a plurality of tubelights 28. The number to be employed will depend upon the lightingcapacity desired for a particular fixture.

flickering, tubes are used in pairs or multiples thereof. However, inmany instances, single tubelights are employed and as an example of myin-- vention employing the same, I have illustrated the single lamp 29in Fig. 8. In such instance where one tube light 28 is used as in Fig.8, the fixture will be proportioned in accordance therewith. All of theparts of the fixture shown in Fig. 8 will be similar to the parts of thefixture shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive and therefore bear similarnumbers, except that preferably the channel 53 need not assume thesemi-hexagon form of the channel 22 in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, and is,shown as a rectangular channel member.

In view of the presence of a channel member 22 in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusiveor a channel member 53 in Fig. 8, preferably the fixtures shown in Figs.1 to 8 inclusive are designed for use where the side plates 44 andbottom plates 48 ar glass. In other words, the type of fixture is thatwhich is generally termed in the art direct difiused lighting. In otherwords, the light is difiused by the glass plates 44 and 48.

In order to provide for greatest utility and interchange of parts, sothat the fixture shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, may be used for directlighting without diffusion of light b glass, the end plates 31 of Figs.1 to 8 inclusive may be replaced by the end plates 54, one of which isshown in Fig. 9. This plate may be similar to the plate 81, except thatthe contour thereof is rounded for appearance and th plate supportingmeans 42 are eliminated. Thus if the user desires to convert a fixtureof the type shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, to a direct lightingfixture without diffusion of light, it is only necessary to remove theend plates 31 and substitute therefor end plates 54. Likewis should auser desire to buy an obviously less expensive fixture, the samefixture, so far as channel means 22 or 53 and the operative lamp partsconnected therewith are concerned, may be purchased with end plates 54attached and the lamp will be a direct lighting lamp without difiusionof the light. Should thereafter the purchaser of such a less expensivefixture desire to convert the same to a fixture having diffused light,then the end plates 54 may be removed with the fixture hanging in placeand then new end plates 31, appropriate side plates 44, and a bottomplate 48 may be installed with the fixture in the same position. By'useof my invention thus standard parts obtain and the fixture is particularly designed for mass production.

Another feature of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive isthat the end plates may be stamped and substantial savings result. Theend plate 81 may be stamped from a single sheet of material, with theexception of the anglebar 48 and aconcurreht obtains. w n importantfeature oi -my-. flxture "shown in Figs. 1 .to-8 inclusive-'is that-all'ol the platesmay be removed from the bottomside. This. is :or extremezimportance in: the cleaning oi! the plates. 44 and lit. In-the priorartffluorescent. tubeflamp fixture supporting screws iwere em-' ployedwhich required, {or saiety-sake; twp men to'remove the glassp'drtions tocl ean:. thesam'e, or' elseit was necessary to 'clejan- :the portions--in place. "Cleaning plates in place-i iyeryl un :satisfactory-and doesnot'- provide the-desired. cleaning- 1ob.- ln my fixture-the plateslmay;he rapidly and. efliciently'removed tor, cleaning-par;

"poses and thereafter rapidly ".inserted-jand the w plates then heldwithout fear of the platestallins. or drpD1 8-fll without longitudinalmetalsup-. parts. which would throw shadows and interfere ,witnthefoperative value and 'lma ty .ofthe n;-

ture.".w---- 4 ...-,My"invention is shown infFigsg 10 to in Iclusive'with' fixtures-designedprimarilyfor indirect light" inwhole; or.inrpart'. Referring. more particularlyto Figs-10 the r canopy ,6. willfuncrate' "orjeconomy in production isotion similarly to th'e'canopy 2Q:describ'ed'incon nectmngwimmgs. 1.10.9, inclusive. The tubes orpedestalstt-will function similarly to the-tubes 11:50: .theprevioussaid figuresz' The chain l'| each, h'avefan electric conductor meanssuitably interwoven therewith with both conductor pref- :"In -Fig.. 5-Ihave shown. 81

'e'rably'iollowlngone, chain or with a conductor following ,eitherchain; "all in accordance with}. H p

or metal bottom-plates and metal plates. having common racticef A bodyportionflfis 'po'si-r tioned at each end and is supportedrby'chain's I1."Tubular rods .59 provide longitudinal support'oetwe'en spaced apartbody portions It. Fur-.

ther,'the tubes]! serve as a"conduit= means for electric; wiresinterconnecting the body portions It.- Four tube lights or lamps 2 9 areshown in each of Figs: 10 to l5- inclusive. In the event. that platemembers, that .is.- side and bottom, 1:" are tofbe used Yin-connectionwith the fixture shown in Figs. 10 and 'llg-a'portion .60, function--ing'. in the identical manner as the-portion "43 in the previous fi res,is employed. Connected many of they to theportion 6|. is'a curved bottomportion ti 1 v which is similar in function -.to the curved body portion4510: the previous figures. Ahorizontal shelf portion triunctionssimilarly to the horizontalf shelf portion 41 of the previousfigures vThus, inFigs' 10" and il-sideplates maybe inserted b'yfmoving-sideplates-in place imilarly 'to-the manner (in, which the side plates weremovedin place in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive; The spacefor opening 46 01the previous figures, in which the upper portion .of a side plate wasinserted (or installation puiDoseadsthe space or I '0bviously,'-changesmay be dimensions and arrangementof the parts of my invention, withoutdeparting-from the principle. thereoLthe above setting forth onlypreferred -v-2,329,'268r i suitable su port. The lower -end-oi. thepedestal j. to is connected toj-a lonsitudinalconduit. like member 6|which isipreterably iormedj in 'two parts for. assembling anddisassemblins puiposes,

JThe-respectiye end portions oI-the conduit 86 are: connected to thespaced-apart body portions ll.- Thus-the conduit 68 iunctionsa sadditionalsup ;.-portingj .means between" rthenspaced' apart bodyportions and further .fl nction as a conduit.

means for thereception of electrical-conductors therein. Thejpedestalrt5 and conduit, 01'

13 are merely a modification-oi.- the pedestal and.

I chain'supports il-tlcifllfiz'srldand 1 1'. omnieatures in Fig. 13relatins-to:the=-typ'e of side;

plates and the type-oi-bottom plate may befeim.v f

"ployed' in any :Ioifthe ilxtures'ofl igs, 10'fto1-15 inclusive; 4 The 1pedestal Bland" conduit II- are shown in connectioggmtnthe fixturesshown in Figs; 14 and, 15.

bottom plate which comprises amain bottom plate In Fig. {-14 1' haveshown 391 lass bottom'll, l

- -0bvious1y, glass or metal {side plates or gm-A theJdesi-red reflectorcharacteristics; maybe employe'd in' variou combinations 1 the fixturesv shown in Figs: =10r.to 15; inclusive. Also the upper reflector plates8! shown inFisi 12 maybe used to 15 inclusive,"

' Throughout thevarious illustrations of fixtures embodying. myinvention,--the side. plates and the I bottom plate are all heidin placebythe same means and it is-obvmus that the'type of side plates or bottomplates may take many forms and still be-within the scope oi myinvention; It ;is further obvious thatmy invention i applicable tofixtures whether the sameiare for direct lighting,- direct lighting withdiffusion, or indirect lighting, or a combination pesof lighting;

j tormsoiembodiment. v

emn ta; in Fig. 11. i Alter the side Plates have i beeninse'rted intoposition, then a bottom plate may be inserted in positionjand the samewm rest on the horizontalshelt-portions 82 similarly tothe mode ofoperation-described in connection withmheif portion 41 ofthe' previousfigures. e I further adaptation 01' my invention is shown in Fig. 12where the, additional feature resides in the .reflectorplates .6 whichpermits part oi the. light t umove upwardly and pass saidref flectorplates Q1 and said reflectorplatesf di-" rectly reflectdownwardlya-nesired portion of 'thelisht. .QAportion of thelightfpassesupwardly iaslndicatedby thcrarrows in'Fis. 12. v A'furthrmodlncation of my invention is shown 111.1 13." 1 "where a fragment of'apedestal1 il is shown which is connected at the top to any movablebottom and-side plates; and bar like on the outer side portions of eachend member,

each. said bar like means-. comprising a downwardly and inwardlyinclined portion supporting a side; plate at end. portion-.and'againstout ward movement, a bottom .p'ortlon or a size to receive thereintheendmortion or the bottom edge oi at side "plate andsupportingthe 1 sideplate acainstdownwar'd movement. B den inwardly projectingv horizontalportion support ingfa bottom plate, whereby the side plates may be"moved into position .irom below the fixture by moving thesame'1upward1y. thence angularly, and thence .downwardLv edge portionthereotflts into the-curved bottom portion or."

m Fig. 13 I; have lso Sl'ldwn instal m nts; $1 and havea1so.shownsuchmetal side plates inl ig. 14: In Fig. 15 I have showna'm'etal sid e plntes light ifiz'rtures shown in m .10-

0t two-formore such I made in the forms,

shapedflxturecomprising two spaced :apartsecured together end members;.r-

the plate supporting means and the bottom plate may be moved into placefrom below the fixture by moving the same upwardly while in an angularposition and then angularly turning the bottom plate to a horizontalposition and permitting the same to rest upon and be supported by saidinwardly projecting horizontal portion of the plate supporting means.

2. A trough like shaped fixture comprising two spaced apart securedtogether end members; removable bottom and side plates; and bar likeside and bottom plate supporting means disposed on the outer sideportions of each end member, each said bar like means comprising adownwardly and inwardly inclined portion supporting a side a plate at anend portion and against outward movement, a curved bottom portion of asize to receive therein the end portion of the bottom edge of a sideplate and supporting the side plate against downward movement, and aninwardly projecting horizontal portion supporting a bottom plate andpositioned at a higher level than said curved bottom portion andpermitting the side edges of the bottom plate to further function tosecure the side plates in position, whereby the side plates may be movedinto position from below the fixture by moving the same upwardly, thenceangularly, and thence downwardly until an edge portion thereof fits intothe curved bottom portion of the plate supporting means and the bottomplate may be moved into place from below the fixture by moving the sameupwardly while in an angular position and then anguiarly turning thebottom plate to a horizontal position and permitting the same to restupon and be supported by said inwardly projecting horizontal portion ofthe plate supporting means.

3. A fluorescent tube light fixture comprising a substantially U shapedbody member open at the top and adapted to receive therein fluorescenttube light electric operating equipment; an end member carried by andpositioned at each end portion 01 said body member; side plates and abottom plate releasably carried by said end members; bar like side andbottom plate supporting means disposed on the outer side portions ofeach end member, each said bar like means comprising a downwardly andinwardly inclined portion sup- 5 porting a side plate at an end portionand against outward movement, a curved bottom portion of a size toreceive therein the end portion of the bottom edge of a side plate andsupporting the side plate against downward movement, and an inwardlyprojecting horizontal portion supporting a bottom plate, whereby theside plates may be moved into position from below the fixture by movingthe same upwardly, thence angularly, and thence downwardly until an edgeportion thereof fits into the curved bottom portion of the platesupporting means and the bottom plate may be moved into place from belowthe fixture by moving the same upwardly while in an angular position andthen angularly turning the bottom plate to a horizontal position andpermitting the same to rest upon and be supported by said inwardlyprojecting horizontal portion of the plate supporting means; a fixturesupporting depending pedestal connected to said body member; and a coverplate means for said body member slidable on said pedestal and movableinto and out of closing position as respects the top of said bodymember, whereby said cover plate means may be moved out of closingposition without moving said pedestal.

4. In a light fixture, longitudinally spaced end members; longitudinalconnecting means between said end members; side plates and a bottomplate of a character tending to sag supported by said end members; andan intermediate supporting member for said bottom plate carried by eachsaid side plates and each comprising a portion extending transverse of aside member, curved portions engaging the top and bottom edges of a sideplate, and a horizontal inwardly projecting shelf portion for supportinga bottom plate intermediate its length and supporting it againstsagging.

WILFRID PAUL HEATH.

